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The Australian Labor Party is Australia’s oldest political party, dating back to before Federation.

The ALP was first formed in Queensland in 1891 and, during the ten years that followed, separate Labor parties emerged in other colonies. All were sponsored by the trade union movement, which participated actively in the foundation of the infant political movement.

The ALP became a federal party when the former Australian colonies federated in 1901. As a federal party, it is 20 years older than the Country Party (now known as the National Party) and 45 years older than the Liberal Party.

The Victorian Branch of the ALP was formed at Federation, and was built on a history of labour movement involvement in the Victorian Parliament.